The two choices for the spot are lefty Matt Harrison and right-hander Yu Darvish. Harrison won 18 games last season and was the team's pitcher of the year while Darvish was a 16-game winner and started the team's playoff game against Baltimore.

Washington hasn't informed either pitcher who is the choice as of now. There are also still six weeks until Opening Day so plenty can still change.

"It's certainly between two guys," Washington said. "It's a no brainer. I do know how we plan on using it (the rotation). We have a schedule but we've just got to make sure all the intangibles fall into place."

Washington also said the team doesn't have to split up left-handers Harrison and Derek Holland. The rotation could have three left-handers if Robbie Ross is a starter.